Down South for the Holidays | Missing my iphone

I am sitting in the Kansas City airport patiently awaiting the plane that will take me to Atlanta. I've only been away from home for an hour & I've already experienced a few 'shockers.'

When I arrived to check my bags, I was SHOCKED when the screen told me to pay $40!

FOURTY BUCKS?!? This was for checking two bags, $15 for the first $25 for the second. I never travel with this many bags but I have small gifts for my nieces & nephews. Overnight shipping would have been cheaper. Just prepare yourselves for this shock. I understand the need to make up costs but sheesh! My inexpensive gifts just increased their value!!

The other big shocker is I left home without my iphone!?

Those who have an iphone understand how devastating this is.
How does one manage?
I have no idea... I guess the next 6 days will be an interesting experiment.

My Brother's Wedding | Baton Rouge, LA

by Adrienne

Last weekend, I left my sick husband at home to travel to my brother's wedding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a different dynamic from my normal routine. I didn't have Ashlee (whom I greatly missed!!) & I've known these people... well, my entire life.

And since I am Dave's little sister, he doesn't listen to a word I say :) Here are my mom, David & my adorably cute grandma. I'm not sure what they are laughing at ... but my little gramma turned 80 the first week of December. I continue to be impressed with her strength & her youth. For the last couple of months I've been calling her most days to get a few chuckles first thing in the morning. We make each other laugh & I am amazed at how similar we are.

I've known Ginny now for ten years, yes that's 10. I've always thought she was perfect for my brother. They are truly two peas in a pod & have always been the best of friends. I clicked with her the moment we met and I always enjoy spending time with her. She grew up in Savannah, GA so we were always destined to be sisters.

She was a beautiful bride & the window light reflecting off the river was magnificent!!I encouraged Dave & Ginny to have a private moment before the ceremony in order to get great photos with friends & family before the sunset. I felt like this look on Ginny's face was priceless & incredibly sincere. It was fun to watch how they both relaxed & immediately felt at ease the moment they saw one another.

I encouraged Ginny to wear something funky that reflected her style. She wore some star tights that looked great with her converse shoes. It turned out to be a great thing because it was COLD! It even snowed there the day before we arrived. Yes, snow in Baton Rouge. This winter is gonna be a cold one-

And as I mentioned in my previous post, a little chaos insued...

A fire alarm was tripped at the Shaw Center as I took photos of the family out front. People began streaming out of building!! Firefighters arrived on the scene to clear the building- all of the candles for the ceremony had to be extinguished...

It was an amazing sunset with a view of the Mississippi river.Ginny's brother Brett giving the toast. So does that make him my brother-in-law once removed? Is that how that terminology works? And I wanted to throw in a photo of me, to prove I was there-

Me with two of my aunts. Don't we look alike? I see more of myself in them everytime we get together. I look forward to seeing them again just after Christmas! Twice in one month, yippiee!

Perfectly Ginny & David

by Adrienne

I've just returned from a crazy weekend in Baton Rouge where I attended & photographed :) my brother's wedding. It was an insane day that included a team of firefighters, Father Christmas & sirens galore! And of course this weekend our long cold winter has begun...

For your information, it snowed in Louisiana (yes, 2 inches stuck!) on Thursday & we dealt with unusually chilly weather there all weekend. When I returned to Kansas City, the temperature read 9 degrees & the roads were covered in ice. Yikes!! I didn't get home until 2 AM and truth be told, I wasn't quite dressed for single digits :(

It was (and still is) very, very cold.

Newest issue of The Knot | Featuring Amy & Erik

We are excited to announce we have a wedding featured in the newest issue of The Knot. We have a few more weddings scheduled for publication but The Knot is typically the first to hit shelves! The issue that was just released features Amy & Erik's wedding. We captured their event in April at the Oakwood Country Club. Check it out:

A Couple of Crazy Dogs & their People :)

by Adrienne
I spent a chilly Sunday morning with Candy, Lawrence & their fun loving pups. (Well, I thought it was chilly- the dogs LOVED it!) These pups were actually two of the most well trained dogs I've ever had the pleasure of photographing. I love taking portraits of special pets. But they were a bit excitable as expected. I have a tendency to excite dogs a bit more because I am so excited and they were getting lots of treats- that probably had something to do with it... I especially love taking portraits of dogs & horses. I always manage to find something interesting. Lawrence has spent a great deal of time training these two. The dogs even sit & wait before crossing the street!! I think it's a marvelous idea & I wish more people taught this. It is a great lesson in obedience. And of course I needed to take a few of my couple! They haven't had any portraits together since they were married many years ago.

Giving Thanks... Out of the Hospital!

by Adrienne

I wanted to write a post to address my Facebook status as well as provide an update to all of those who've called & written me over the last month to check on my husband. He feels better with every passing day & we appreciate all of your love & encouragement.

So what's the deal, you ask?

I spent this Thanksgiving in the hospital, where I had been the previous 9 days watching over my husband. He fell quite ill with a mysterious sickness that wasn't diagnosed for six agonizing days (who knew the pancreas was so important!?) Those first 6 days were unbelievable... they ran test after test after test. He didn't eat for 10 days & I've watched him lose pound after pound.

He was finally released into my care last week & I am ever so thankful, even if it does leave me playing nurse maid. A role I am all to familiar with... you might recall he broke both of his arms last October. Needless to say, the first few years of our marriage have been full of challenges!
However this year I am thankful for the same things I was last year, I am thankful to have my health & my family. My husband is my backbone & he has taught me more than I could ever express. He makes me laugh, he gives me strength & he teaches me things every day. My life is complete with him in it. I was grateful to spend this Thanksgiving with him, even if we were surrounded by white walls & stale bread.

You see, the thing I notice more every day is the frailty of life-
The passage of time is a mystery we can not survive.
Gain strength & spend time with those you love.

As we all head into another holiday season, don't forget this is time for family. Put the small stuff aside & enjoy being together. Work less, enjoy family more :)
Now, go hug your best friend!